KDP guide
How to make a KDP paperback cover in Canva
Eight steps, with KDP measurements and Canva menus checked against both help centers on October 17, 2026. Where a step is my own conclusion, the page says so.
- 1
Find the final page count
The spine changes with the page count and the paper, so finish the interior before the cover. If the page count changes later, the cover has to be redone.
- 2
Work out the open cover size
Use the calculator and note the width and height. In the example of a 6 × 9 in book with 200 pages on white paper, the spine is 0.450 in and the open cover is 12.700 × 9.250 in.
- 3
Create the design in a custom size
On the Canva home page, choose "Custom size", switch the unit to inches (in) and enter the open cover width and height. Canva accepts 40 to 8,000 pixels per side; a book cover fits that limit.
- 4
Mark where the folds go
Since the page already includes the bleed, the first fold (between back and spine) sits 0.125 + 6 = 6.125 in from the left edge, and the second at 6.575 in. Under File, Settings, "Show print bleed" or "Rulers and guides", drag guides to those two measures. That position is my own calculation, from KDP's formula.
- 5
Respect the safe margin
Text on the front and back stays at least 0.125 in (3.2 mm) inside the trim line. Since the trim line is already 0.125 in inside the page edge, that makes 0.25 in from the file edge. Background and images go to the edge, to cover the bleed.
- 6
Spine text only with 79 pages or more
With fewer than 79 pages, leave the spine without text: KDP rejects the cover. With more, leave at least 0.0625 in (1.6 mm) of space on each side of the spine text.
- 7
Export a single PDF
Under Share, Download, choose "PDF Print" (300 dpi). KDP recommends CMYK colors, and Canva offers the CMYK profile in that option; I did not check whether it depends on your plan. I would not tick "Crop marks and bleed": the page already has the bleed, and KDP wants the file at the exact cover size. That is also my own conclusion; KDP's previewer flags a wrong size.
- 8
Upload to KDP and check the preview
In the book content step, choose to upload a cover you already have and upload the PDF. Cover files over 650 MB will not convert, and KDP recommends 40 MB or less. Check the preview before publishing.
For paperbacks. Hardcover works differently, in the KDP calculator. Canva is a trademark of Canva Pty Ltd; CoAuthor is not affiliated with Canva.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a KDP paperback cover in Canva?+
You can. KDP accepts a cover made in another tool, as long as it is a single PDF with back, spine and front as one image, at least 300 DPI. Canva creates a custom-size design, in inches, and exports a print PDF at 300 dpi.
What size should I create in Canva?+
The open cover width is the bleed (0.125 in) plus the back, plus the spine, plus the front, plus another bleed. The height is the trim height plus two bleeds. The spine is the page count times the paper thickness. The CoAuthor calculator does the math.
Can I put text on the spine?+
Only if the book has at least 79 pages. With fewer, KDP rejects a cover with spine text. On a larger spine, the text needs at least 0.0625 in (1.6 mm) of space to the edge of the spine.
Do I have to put the barcode on the cover?+
No. You can upload the cover with or without a barcode. If you do not add yours, KDP places one on the back cover. Keep important text off the lower part of the back cover, where it may go.
Rather not build it by hand? CoAuthor makes the full cover already to KDP size
The account is free. The book costs from about US$ 7.70 (R$ 39, paid once, with no monthly fee). You are charged in Brazilian reais; the dollar figure uses the October 17, 2026 rate, about R$ 5.08 per US$ 1.